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He sure as hell wasn't going to go to that extreme--at least not this early in the games. But it would be a great kickoff to the games.
He circled around and found Amber. "You ready to let loose before we all have to settle in and go for those medals?"
She lifted her gaze to his. He loved her eyes. Her lashes were so long they brushed the top of her brow. "I'm game for whatever you have in mind tonight."
He felt that gut punch of desire. He was going to have to decide soon whether to take her to bed or turn her down, because he knew it wasn't fair to leave her hanging. And he sure as hell wasn't going to leave his balls in a twist when he had hockey to focus on.
"Then let's hit it," he said.
"Yes. Let's."
They all went to one of the restaurants and grabbed something to eat, everyone talking over each other about the games officially beginning tomorrow. It obviously wasn't just Amber who was psyched about competitions beginning. All the athletes were more than ready to compete, and she loved listening to them talk about how they were going to win.
It was kind of sad that everyone couldn't win, but that was the nature of competition. This wasn't a place where you got a participation trophy. You fought hard, and you either won or you lost. And everyone here knew that. Some would go home winners. Many of them would go home empty-handed.
That part was awful, because everyone here was loaded with talent.
"You've been quiet," Will said.
She had finished her dinner of filet of sole and asparagus, so she emptied her glass of water and nodded. "I was thinking about all these amazing athletes, and how many of them will go home without a medal."
Will scanned the restaurant. "Yeah. I've lost plenty of games. It sucks. And especially here, where you prepare for so long, and you gotta have that level of confidence, positive you're gonna be the one to win a medal."
She nodded. "We're all here to compete. It's the highest level, you know? Everyone is talented and prepared. And yet some of the best athletes in the world will still go home with nothing."
He put his arm around her, using his thumb to caress her jaw. "I don't know about nothing, Amber. The experience, the people you meet, the memories, the opportunity to say you were here. Those aren't a pile of nothings."
She lifted her gaze to his and offered a faint smile. "Oh, come on, Will. If your team doesn't medal, will you be satisfied to go home with just great memories?"
He paused a few beats before answering her. "Hell, no."
"That's my point. I just feel bad about so many people being disappointed."
"Nothing you can do about that."
"I suppose you're right."
"And besides, when you're out there on the ice doing your thing, are you worried about all those other skaters you're going to leave in the dust?"
Her lips curved. "No."
"You want to kick the shit out of them, don't you?"
"Figuratively, of course."
He grinned. "Of course."
"Yes."
"Then don't worry about it. We all know the risks we're taking. And we all intend to be standing on that podium."
He was right. She absolutely planned to be standing on the podium. In the center. Wearing gold around her neck.
After they ate, Amber followed the group that went to one of the luger's apartments. She'd heard of Claude. Everyone knew about Claude's parties. They were renowned, tended to go all night and no one on either side of Claude's apartment ever complained. Some thought he paid them off, or they got standing invitations and free booze, or maybe Claude invited them to Germany for vacations. Even the stories that weren't about the parties themselves were legendary.
Either way, Amber had heard the parties were always no-holds-barred fun.
But she'd never attended one. Lisa had invited her last time she was at the games, but it had been the night before her long program and there'd been no way she was going to a party when she had to skate the next day.
When they arrived at Claude's apartment, she could already hear the loud music. It was as noisy as being at the club, which had to be insane for his neighbors and everyone on the floor.
Then again, maybe everyone on the floor--as well as above and below--were in the apartment, because the place was packed, people spilling out into the hallway.
"You're here! Welcome!" A tall, very lean, bald dude wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and loose white pants came out of the apartment and pulled Will into a bear hug, and then proceeded to hug everyone else, including Amber.
His hugs were fierce. He had a German accent and an effusive, welcoming smile.
"Claude, this is Amber," Will said.
"Of course you are," Claude said. "You're beautiful, honey." He kissed Amber on the cheek, then nudged Will. "Food and booze are inside. Have a great time."
Claude was clearly a force of nature Amber noted as he turned his back on them and exuberantly hugged the next group of arrivals.
It was an interesting mix of partygoers, too. Some people had on the standard athlete outfit: track pants and jacket with the logo from the games. Some wore shorts and tank tops, and there was a guy dressed only in a long-sleeved button-down shirt and his underwear, dancing with a girl in her bra and panties. Then again she also sported a tiara. They were getting down to a hard-driving dance beat in the hall.
Amber couldn't help but gawk. It wasn't even ten p.m. yet. A few of these people were utterly toasted.
She sure hoped they wouldn't be competing tomorrow. Then again, who was she to judge? Maybe those were the types of people who did their best competing hungover.
She just wasn't that type of person.
"Come on," Will said, grabbing her hand. "Let's go inside."
The noise was earsplitting. She leaned into Will. "Why doesn't anyone complain about the noise?"
"Everyone loves Claude. He invites all his neighbors to come visit him at his villa in Italy. He provides free alcohol and food. Plus, his apartment has an open-door policy. Who doesn't love that?"
"Someone who might want to sleep?"
Will squeezed her hand. "You need to get into the party mindset, Amber. It's all good."
She supposed if no one was complaining, she shouldn't care. Though if it was the night before her performance and this was her apartment building, she would definitely care.
"There are certain people who ask to be in Claude's building," Will said. "So, trust me, no one who's staying nearby will complain."
"Oh, I see. The party types."
Will nodded. "So don't worry about athletes losing sleep. Chances are, they wouldn't be sleeping much anyway, or they're the types that would sleep through all this."
The bass was so loud it thrummed along with her heartbeat.
She shook her head. "I could not sleep through this."
"You like quiet, huh? Or maybe some noise machine to lull you to sleep?"
She nudged him with her shoulder. "I'm not that bad, asshole. I just enjoy a full night's sleep, especially before a performance. That doesn't make me a party killer."
He slung his arm around her. "You need to lighten up and learn to take teasing."
They made their way to the well-stocked bar, where there were two gorgeous women serving. Amber opted for a vodka with cranberry juice that she requested they fill with a lot more cranberry than vodka. Will asked for a beer. They walked around and it was obvious that Will already knew a lot of people from the waves and shouts he got.
No surprise there. She already knew from her last visit to the games that Will was a popular guy. Then again, he was outgoing and friendly, always stopping to talk to someone or introduce himself to people. But he never left her out of the conversation, making sure to introduce her to everyone he visited with.
She'd never remember all these people's names, and she was shocked that Will did. She felt so out of her element. The only crowds she was ever comfortable with were the ones cheering her on at the skating rink. There, she felt she was inter
acting with them via her skating, through the music and her performance.
Here, she had to speak to people, interact on a social level. While it was easy enough in a large group, one-on-one interactions still made her uncomfortable.
And suddenly she realized that Will had disappeared and she was alone, and some guy was making his way over to her.
Shit.
Then she realized it was Blake, that hot skier Lisa had hung out with the other night.
"What's up?" he said, offering her a friendly smile.
"Oh, uh, nothing. What's up with you?" She took a long swallow of her drink, blinking back tears as she realized the drink had a lot more vodka in it than she'd anticipated.
"I'm Blake."
"Amber."
"What do you do, Amber?"
"Figure skater. And you're a skier, right?"
He cocked his head to the side. "That's right. Alpine skier. How did you know that?"
"I'm Lisa's roommate."
"Oh, right. She told me about you. She said you're an amazing skater."
"Lisa's very kind."
"Lisa's very honest."
She felt the tinge of embarrassment from his compliment. "Thank you. So tell me about skiing. That must be so exciting."
"It is. I've been doing it as long as I could stand up. I love it. How about you?"
